R&D Engineer - mechanical, thermal fluid systems - heat exchanger / fluid dynamics

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an R&D Engineer to join our start-up team in Cambridge, MA.

We are looking for someone who can help design and optimize a heat pump system and it's core subsystems. If you've got experience working with thermal or fluidic systems or have designed complex machines like engines, chemical reactors, rockets - let’s talk!Overview

This role will be primarily responsible for expanding experimental and design capabilities, improving the performance and efficiency of prototype systems, and ensuring that the testing programs generate clear, actionable insights.

We are seeking a talented and creative problem solver who can tackle complex, open-ended challenges in thermal systems and thermofluidics with a disciplined engineering approach. The ideal candidate will thrive in a small, fast-moving startup environment and be willing to take on a range of responsibilities as needed to advance the technology.

While the primary focus will be designing and executing investigative experiments and validation testing in the laboratory, members of our team are expected to contribute broadly across the organization. This includes prototype and product design, materials development, systems engineering, controls, and occasional support for company-building initiatives.

The successful candidate will bring 4+ years of experience in thermal, mechanical, chemical, or related engineering disciplines, with demonstrated expertise in the design, modeling, and validation of thermal systems in energy, HVAC, refrigeration, or similar applications. Strong hands-on experience working with prototype hardware is essential. Familiarity with heat exchangers, phase-change phenomena, and coupled thermal–fluid systems is strongly preferred.

What You’ll Do

• Design and analyze key components of solid refrigerant systems, including heat exchangers, thermal interfaces, and system-level heat flow paths
  
  

• Develop analytical and numerical models to predict system behavior, identify performance bottlenecks, and guide engineering decisions
  
  

• Use company test rigs and prototype subsystems to characterize thermal and mass transport properties of solid refrigerant composites
  
  

• Plan, execute, and interpret thermal performance experiments on prototype subsystems and integrated systems
  
  

• Collaborate with engineering team members to design experimental equipment and develop reliable testing methodologies
  
  

• Improve and expand test infrastructure, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems
  
  

• Contribute to the development of company culture, technical rigor, and engineering best practices
  
  

• Mentor interns and co-op students working on research and development projects
  
  

What You’ll Bring

• 4+ years of industry experience designing and developing thermal systems in energy, HVAC, refrigeration, or related industries
  
  

• Strong hands-on experience designing, building, and testing prototype hardware or engineering systems
  
  

• Experience applying thermal modeling tools and analytical methods to guide design decisions and reduce development risk
  
  

• Deep understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics
  
  

• A disciplined engineering mindset that balances creative problem solving with rigorous experimental design, including familiarity with structured testing, statistical methods, and systematic knowledge development
  
  

• A pragmatic approach focused on generating results that directly enable the next stage of technology development